The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-01-08
Select Story.
MRS. ROBSON.

"There goes Mrs Robson, old Judge
Robson's young wife. Come along, Jack,
and III introduce you"
The speaker was my cousin, Bill Traf-
ford, who had come down to Southampton
with me to see me off for India, whittier |
was bound on business, Bills regiment
had lately returned from Bengal, and he
was on the lookout for acquaintance to
whom he might present me, and so start me
on my voyage socially.
1t was about two clock oa a Thursday
afternoon in the days, not so long ago,
whea the p and Q. steamers made South
ampton their starting place for the East.
The old Australialay alongside the quay,
her decks were crowded with people and
luggage, and amidst the motley throng [
failed to discover the object of Bills re
marks.
nshe is going down below" he went on,
and we we were preparing to push our way
to the companion in pursuit, when the
shore bell rang, and [ was obliged to escort
Bill to the gangway and bid him farewell.
His last words to me were:
'Mind you, look out for Mrs. Robson.
She is a very nice little woman and will
amuse you. l came home in the same ship
with her last year. People said old Rob-
son was sending her home in disgrace she's
bit of Airt), but it didn't seem to effect
her spirits, and suppose it's all made up
now, as she is going1 Well,
goodbye, old fellow; l seasa6f
voyage"
Left to myself, L soon tired of watching
the low green banks of Southampton Water
as we glided past them, and, turning my
back on shore-going life and its interests,
I plunged below> When l reached the
saloon, it was nearly sserted; most of the
passengers had retire p their cabins to
make call taut" befor. he rolling pillows
of the open sea should set theer equilib-
rum. [ was just about 10 follow their ex-
ample, when a voice calling Steward
made me pause The cry is neither rare
nor agreeably suggestive on board ship, but
the voice struck me, fresh, clear, decided,
vet sweet. | looked round and saw, in the
doorway of cabin about half way down
the saloon, beautiful girl. Tall and slen-
der, with short, dark hair, tossed about on a
broad, white brow, penciled eyebrows, and
pair of great luminous eyes, clear olive
skin, and fresh red lips, she stood, pic
ture of youth and grace, holding back the
curtain with one slender hand.
A steward trotted up, and they conferred
together, while another young lady came
and looked over the shoulder of the first.
I had only time to notice plump little
figure, pair Of child-like wondering blue
eyes, and delicate complexion, before she
drew back; then the curtain fell, and both
girls were hidden from view A steward
sss- stood near -I,ao; the steward cauie to her
and said
"There is some mistake about those la
dies luggage. Who are they?"
"Mrs. Robson, the judges wife, and Miss
Lambert, governess in Lord Warnings fam
lily. They are going out alone, and I've
been asked to look after them; SO I'll
just go and see what it's all about"
The stewardess hustled off, and I CON
graduated myself on having found cut
Mrs. Robson SO quickly. What fine,
graceful woman, and how young to be tied
to a yellow old Indian judge! l determin-
ed to lose no time about following Bills
advice by making her acquaintance; so,
waylaying the steward, l slipped coin into
his willing palm, and requested him to keep
me place at dinner next the ladies he had
been attending on. The ship now began
to roll good deal, and | began to
fear that my precaution would be vain
unless Mrs. Robson was good sailor but
when the dinner-bell rang, was relieved
to see her come out of her cabin, looking
perfectly at her ease.
When / found myself sitting beside the
beautiful grass widow, | felt unusually shy;
no suitable speech rose to my lips to break
the ice gracefully and give my neighbor
good opinion of my wit; but, as it was bet
ter to talk commonplace than give some
one else the chance of engaging her atten-
ton, took advantage of portentous lurch
of the ship to say
"You are a good sailor, l perceive
II never was i'll in my life, am glad
to say. I love the sea" she replied, look
ing at me with her bright, encouraging
glance. This started us, and we were soon
afoat. Mrs. Robson seemed used to max
ing conversation with strangers; she plung-
ed at once into general topics, and did not
need the links of common acquaintance to
cut up into the small change of converse
ton.
Once she turned TO the steward: "Please